Computer Security Tools: Federal Einstein 3 for Private Networks?

“The Department of Homeland Security’s top cybersecurity official told CNET on Wednesday that the department may eventually extend its Einstein technology, which is designed to detect and prevent electronic attacks, to networks operated by the private sector. The technology was created for federal networks.” – CNET.com

Earlier versions of the federal Einstein anti-hacker system could mostly only observe and detect. The latest version, which features are classified, looks like it can do more. It also has the ability to thwart attacks in progress by notifying the NSA.

The goal for the Einstein program was automated defense of federal systems with counter-attack capabilities. It looks like this new version is a step closer in this direction. This new version reportedly even has the ability to intercept and read messages. AT&T has been asked by the government to be the first private sector company to try Einstein.